There comes a time when musicians heed a certain call and come together as one, and that time arrived on Monday night as more than 70 performers joined up, above, to record a new version of “We Are the World” to benefit Haitian earthquake relief organizations, Reuters reported. The all-star session took place in the same Hollywood studio where in 1985 the original song — written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones to raise money for African famine victims — was recorded, and this time was overseen by Mr. Richie and Mr. Jones. Among the artists on the new single are Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Drake, LL Cool J, and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, as well as Justin Bieber, who sings the opening line, and Wyclef Jean, the Haitian-American performer who has largely been the celebrity face of the earthquake relief effort. None of the performers on the original “We Are the World” recording are involved in the new single, nor was Lady Gaga, who was widely believed to be on the producers’ wish list. Randy Phillips, the AEG Live executive, told Reuters that a video for the song would have its debut on Feb. 12 during the Winter Olympics and that proceeds would go to a newly established charity. Partial source NYTIMES
Courtesy of Jimmy Jean Louis.
Courtesy of Jimmy Jean Louis.
- Courtesy of Jimmy Jean Louis.
Courtesy of Jimmy Jean Louis.Courtesy of Jimmy Jean Louis.
